On the minimal number of periodic orbits on some hypersurfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^{2n}\) (Q506597)

Let \((\Sigma, \alpha)\) be a star-shaped hypersurface in \(\mathbb{R}^{2n}\), together with its standard contact form \(\alpha\) which is the restriction of the global \(1\)-form \(\lambda := \frac{1}{2}\sum_{j=1}^{n}(x^{j}dy^{j}-y^{j}dx^{j})\). The \textit{Reeb vector field} \(R_{\alpha}\) corresponding to \(\alpha\) is the unique vector field satisfying \(d\alpha(R_{\alpha}, \cdot)=0\) and \(\alpha(R_{\alpha})=1\). The authors prove (Theorem 1.1) that if \((\Sigma, \alpha)\) is nondegenerate (i.e., all periodic orbits are nondegenerate) and dynamically convex (i.e., every periodic orbit has Conley-Zehnder index at least \(n+1\)) then \(R_{\alpha}\) has at least \(n\) even simple periodic orbits. This is a generalization of a similar result contained in [\textit{Y. Long} and \textit{C. Zhu}, Ann. Math. (2) 155, No. 2, 317--368 (2002; Zbl 1028.53003)] proven under the stronger assumption that \(\Sigma\) bounds a strictly convex compact set with nonempty interior. Furthermore, it is shown (Theorem 1.4) that, for multiplicity results, the condition of dynamical convexity can be further weakened. Specifically, the authors prove that if every periodic orbit has Conley-Zehnder index at least \(n-1\) then \(R_{\alpha}\) has at least \(n\) simple periodic orbits.